December 8, 2000

The College of Music presents Rossini's The Barber of Seville

The College of Music presents its annual opera production at a different time this season. In an effort to present the production when more students are on campus in late January as opposed to late May — Rossini's The Barber of Seville will be performed on Thursday, January 25, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, January 28, at 3 p.m. in Roussel Hall.

The fully-staged production will be directed by David Morelock and the music will be conducted by Carol Rausch. The production will include a professional orchestra, chorus, staging, make-up and costumes. The opera will feature four singers who had lead roles in last year's production of The Elixir of Love. Bryan Hymel will sing the role of Count Almaviva and Ken Weber will sing the role of Figaro. Christine Hughes and Sarah Jane McMahon will share the role of Rosina. This year's production will mark the return of Loyola alumnus Francis "Buddy" Courtenay, who will sing the role of Dr. Bartolo.

Christine Hughes (Rosina) is a native of Gig Harbor, Washington. In 1997, Hughes placed first in the opera category and second in musical theater at the NATS Vocal Competition in Covington, Louisiana. She was selected as a regional finalist for the Indiana Opera Theatre/MacAllister Award. Hughes was the 1999 - 2000 winner of the annual Loyola Concerto/Aria Competition and will perform with the Loyola Symphony Orchestra in April 2001. Most recently, she was a winner at the Gulf Coast District Metropolitan Opera Auditions and will advance to the regional competition in February 2001.

Bryan Hymel (Count Almaviva) is a native of New Orleans. Hymel won first place in the 2000 Gulf Coast Regional Metropolitan Opera Auditions. He eventually went on to the final round, where he competed on the stage of the Met, accompanied by the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Hymel has sung numerous roles at music festivals and competitions across the country, including the Aspen Music Festival, MacCallister Awards in Indianapolis, and the Verdi Competition, where he was the winner in 1998. In addition to his work at Loyola, he has also appeared with the New Orleans Opera Association and the Gulf Coast Opera Association.

Sarah Jane McMahon (Rosina) is a native of New Orleans. She has appeared in roles with the Loyola Opera Theater and Loyola drama department. She also has appeared with the Jefferson Performing Arts Society, Le Petit Theatre, and the Rivertown Repertory Theater. She represented Loyola in the musical theater category at the 1999 NATS competition and was awarded first prize.

Ken Weber (Figaro) is originally from Los Angeles. He graduated from the New England Conservatory with a master of music degree. He continues to study voice with Philip Frohnmayer and sang the role of Don Alfonso in Apsen Opera Theatre's production of The Marriage of Figaro this past summer.

Francis "Buddy" Courtenay (Dr. Bartolo) is a native of New Orleans. While at Loyola, Courtenay appeared in several opera productions. Upon graduating, he entered the Manhattan School of Music, where he earned his master's degree. He is continuing post-graduate vocal studies at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia.

"The Barber of Seville is probably the best-known and most loved comic opera holding the stage today," says Morelock. "It is a rollicking story of young love overcoming all obstacles. Old Dr. Bartolo wants to marry his wealthy and beautiful young ward, Rosina, but she is in love with the handsome youth, Lindoro (actually Count Almaviva in disguise), with help of the crafty barber, Figaro. The lovers triumph in the end. The shaving scene is one of Rossini's most inspired comic inventions."

Tickets are $20 for general admission and $10 for students and the Loyola community with a valid ID. For more information, call the College of Music box office at ext. 3492.

Reid Wick, A'95, Publicity Coordinator, College of Music